Page 32 of Bad Beehavior

As my thinking clears and my body relaxes, I don’t regret my choice of words. “I love you, Bee.” I know it’s crazy. I’ve only known him for a short time, but after everything we’ve been through, it only makes sense that my feelings for him would be accelerated. I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but now I know that an otherworldly force can truly bring two soulmates together.

He looks down at me, almost a confused expression on his face. “I’ve loved you since the moment I laid my eyes on you. You’re mine for as long as I live.”

Tears cloud my vision, my heart bursting from his confession. He knows what love means. I can see it in his eyes. He’d offer his whole self to me if I asked.

His dreamy expression suddenly shifts as if his thoughts just clicked into place. “We have to go.” He stands up and reaches for me, pulling me to my feet.

I never would have thought I’d say I love you to him, let alone in a prison cell before we must rush off to our escape, but above all, I’m glad the words were spoken between us.

I look around. It’s still dark in my cell, except for the small light from the ceiling overhead. If it’s still dark, that means the power is still out. We wasted time—time we don’t have, but I’m still not certain Bee will get us back to Earth. If we fail at escaping, I’m glad we had one last moment together.

“Let me lift you,” he says as he squats to pick me up from my legs. He flies me to the opening, and I crawl my way inside.

Light floods around me, and a loud bang snaps my attention back. “Bee!” I cry, but it’s too late. Two men fly next to him, pulling him back as he yells and struggles against their grip.

I’m frozen in place, looking down at him.

“Go!” he yells to me, but it’s too late. A third man flies to me, grabbing me by the arm.

I pull against him, sitting back and trying to kick him away, but it’s no use.

He pulls me out of the air duct, holding me in his arms as I try to scratch his forearms and kick him in the nuts.

A fourth bee man grabs my arms and secures metal bands around my wrists and feet. No chains connect them, but they must be invisible because I’m suddenly immobilized.

“Jennessa!” Bee yells, his wrists and ankles already bound as well.

A short, muscular bee man walks through the opening. “Bring them to my quarters,” he says. His expression is stern, and he seems to hold an air of authority to him.

I realize he’s one of the men that stole me from my apartment.

“I’ve got some questions for these two.”

Chapter 22: Baryx

Ikeep quiet as the crew leads Jennessa and me into Captain’s quarters. Angry words bubble in the back of my throat, but I can’t react hastily. I need to think of a way to get Jennessa off the Hive and back to her home.

She loves me. Her words ring throughout my body, furthering my need to keep her safe. I feel so foolish letting my desires hinder getting her home, but after hearing her words and getting to experience her sweetness one last time, I think it was worth it.

It’s only Bialar, Bane, and Burges guiding us. I search for Bailiff but he’s not insight. As the metal doors to Captain’s quarters open, and he’s the only one inside, I breathe out in relief.

“Have a seat,” Captain calls from the other side of his desk, staring out his window with a clear view of Earth.

Bailar and Bane shove me down into a chair facing Captain’s desk.

“Don’t touch her!” I yell as I catch Burges pushing Jennessa into the chair beside me.

Captain whips around. “That will be all, thank you,” he says, directing his attention to the three who nod and leave, the door sliding closed behind them.

Captain looks me in the eye and shakes his head. I can feel the disappointment dripping off him. Normally, his disapproval would gnaw at me, making me do everything in my power to earn it back. Now, his look means nothing to me. I don’t care if my whole planet looks down at me and sticks me in prison. I would do anything to keep Jennessa safe.

“Where’s Bailiff?” I ask,

Captain sighs. “He’s being contained to his quarters. It seems you and him have quite a history. We watched the recording back when he visited you in your cell. He wasn’t authorized to visit you, and some of his statements were…concerning.”

Relief washes over me. Maybe none of what Bailiff said is true. Maybe Jennessa isn’t in as much danger as he made me believe.

“So he won’t be impregnating Jennessa against her will?”

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